HR20-700 does not record locals in HD, why?

[Sotorin]

1. I do receive local HD programming (Chicago),
2. I can watch local HD programming from satellite (I have Ka/Ku antenna) ,
3. HR20-700 records local HD channels in SD,
4. HR20-700 records HD like HBO's "Rome" properly,
5. Guide does not list locals as HD even if they are being broadcasted in HD, could this be a problem?

Literally, there is Boston Legal on local ABC station being broadcasted in HD as we speak and I can watch in HD but recording is in SD. WTF? Does anyone have a similiar problem?

[PoitNarf]

What happens when you attempt to record? Does it give any sort of error message?

[Sotorin]

No, it doesn't. I just tested in on Boston Leagal tonite. Broadcast was in HD (720p) but the recording in 480p. I kept switching back and forth and I was getting HD on live broadcast and SD on recording.

[Discotech]

Maybe you are setup to record on SD channel. I had this problem (Also from Chicago) where I would setup SD channels without even knowing it. If it has the network letters, it is the HD channel (Ex. ABC, CBS, NBC...) I had to go through all my recordings and do them by the guide as using search you cannot differentiate between HD and SD.

[jaywdetroit]

Maybe you are setup to record on SD channel. I had this problem (Also from Chicago) where I would setup SD channels without even knowing it. If it has the network letters, it is the HD channel (Ex. ABC, CBS, NBC...) I had to go through all my recordings and do them by the guide as using search you cannot differentiate between HD and SD.

I was going to suggest the same thing.

When you set up your Series Link - make sure you are selecting the show on the channel with the CALL letters.

[Sotorin]

Maybe you are setup to record on SD channel. I had this problem (Also from Chicago) where I would setup SD channels without even knowing it. If it has the network letters, it is the HD channel (Ex. ABC, CBS, NBC...) I had to go through all my recordings and do them by the guide as using search you cannot differentiate between HD and SD.


I suppose I don't quite understand the difference;
On my guide (these are local channels here in Chicago):

Chan 2 is CBS,
Chan 5 is NBC
Chan 7 is ABC
Chan 32 is FOX

I don't think they are designated/described with their network letters. I'm not in front of my TV right now so I can not say for sure but I'm almost 100% positive that they are not and for example NBC is designated as WMAQ.

Now, these are my local HD channels where I watch my favorite shows in HD (when broadcasted). Are you saying that there are other channels, local ones, which have ABC, NBC etc. in their name from which I have to record? Where can I find them.

There is something like NBCE, CBSE etc (broadcasting from the east coast) and they have HD indicated by the show name (for example on NBCE there is "ER" in HD) but I can't tune to these channels .. it says "To subscibe ... blah, blah" so that can't be it.

[Sotorin]

I was going to suggest the same thing.

When you set up your Series Link - make sure you are selecting the show on the channel with the CALL letters.

I'm not entirely sure what Series Link is and how to use it. I do have the manual at home thou and can investigate the matter.

Thanks for you help with this. I'll report on my progress.

[swandersen]

I suppose I don't quite understand the difference;
On my guide (these are local channels here in Chicago):

Chan 2 is CBS,
Chan 5 is NBC
Chan 7 is ABC
Chan 32 is FOX

I don't think they are designated/described with their network letters. I'm not in front of my TV right now so I can not say for sure but I'm almost 100% positive that they are not and for example NBC is designated as WMAQ.

Now, these are my local HD channels where I watch my favorite shows in HD (when broadcasted). Are you saying that there are other channels, local ones, which have ABC, NBC etc. in their name from which I have to record? Where can I find them.

There is something like NBCE, CBSE etc (broadcasting from the east coast) and they have HD indicated by the show name (for example on NBCE there is "ER" in HD) but I can't tune to these channels .. it says "To subscibe ... blah, blah" so that can't be it.

Works fine on my 2 HR20.

In chicago HD is 2-1, 5-1, 7-1, 9-1, 11-1 and 32-1. Did you setup your local OTA antenna? When you do you are prompted for zip code and after the download you will see all the X-1 channels. These are your OTA HD.

[swandersen]

1. I do receive local HD programming (Chicago),
2. I can watch local HD programming from satellite (I have Ka/Ku antenna) ,
3. HR20-700 records local HD channels in SD,
4. HR20-700 records HD like HBO's "Rome" properly,
5. Guide does not list locals as HD even if they are being broadcasted in HD, could this be a problem?

Literally, there is Boston Legal on local ABC station being broadcasted in HD as we speak and I can watch in HD but recording is in SD. WTF? Does anyone have a similiar problem?

Do you have new 5 LNB dish? Sounds like you don't so the channels you mention on low definition D* channels. If you had new dish, these would be HD too albeit not as sharp as over the air HD.

[swandersen]

I'm not entirely sure what Series Link is and how to use it. I do have the manual at home thou and can investigate the matter.

Thanks for you help with this. I'll report on my progress.

Sounds like the channel you selected to record the show (series link) is not the channel that you are watching live that is in HD

As a test, from the HD live (were everything is HD and good) hit the record button on the remote. I'm sure it will record HD fine. Go back to your to-do list and check what channel is selected for use for your series link - probably the non-HD one.

[Sotorin]

Sounds like the channel you selected to record the show (series link) is not the channel that you are watching live that is in HD

As a test, from the HD live (were everything is HD and good) hit the record button on the remote. I'm sure it will record HD fine. Go back to your to-do list and check what channel is selected for use for your series link - probably the non-HD one.

swandersen,

In your first msg you were referring to you the OTA HD. I don't have that set up since I have the new 5LBN, KA/KU antenna and I can watch (your second msg) all local HD channels (when broadcasted) directly from my satellite dish.

I am however going to try your suggestion with the first available HD channel during this evening's broadcast.

[Gmaxx]

try this out for a sec. Hit the guide button only once. select all channels. not your favorites list, the all channels list. You should see 2 channels of abc, cbs, etc. Here in Boston they show as NBC and BN 4, one being the SD and the other one is HD. I bet this is what is going on in your case.

[JerryShain]

1. I do receive local HD programming (Chicago),
2. I can watch local HD programming from satellite (I have Ka/Ku antenna) ,
3. HR20-700 records local HD channels in SD,
4. HR20-700 records HD like HBO's "Rome" properly,
5. Guide does not list locals as HD even if they are being broadcasted in HD, could this be a problem?

Literally, there is Boston Legal on local ABC station being broadcasted in HD as we speak and I can watch in HD but recording is in SD. WTF? Does anyone have a similiar problem?

Go into your setup and find Channels I Receive. You will see there are two of each for channels 2, 4, 5 etc. What ever the numbers are in Chicago. Make sure the hi def version is checked. I unchecked the SD versions so they do not even show on my guide. I only want to the Hi Def versions.

[bonscott87]

If you've edited teh channels you receive or are using a favorites list make sure the HD version is actually in the guide. I just removed the SD version from the guide so I'll never see it.

What you should see would be 2 versions of each channel:

2 WBBM
2 CBS
7 WLS (right?)
7 ABC

and so forth. Typically the first one is HD, the second one is SD. Just remove the SD versions from your channels I receive and then you'll never see them again.

[JerryShain]

If you've edited teh channels you receive or are using a favorites list make sure the HD version is actually in the guide. I just removed the SD version from the guide so I'll never see it.

What you should see would be 2 versions of each channel:

2 WBBM
2 CBS
7 WLS (right?)
7 ABC

and so forth. Typically the first one is HD, the second one is SD. Just remove the SD versions from your channels I receive and then you'll never see them again.

I beat you by two seconds. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[bonscott87]

I beat you by two seconds. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Drat! :hurah:

[Sotorin]

Gentlemen,

I think your suggestions regarding showing/hiding locas might be right on the money. I remember that a while back I did create a Custom1 list (which I'm currently displaying in my quide) and got rid of some channels. Chances are that it was the HD versions I hid and left the SD versions to record from.

One thing puzzles me thou; none of the local channels, like WMAQ (local NBC) which I'm watching, dispaly any indicators that the currently broadcasted signal is in HD. But if broadcast is in HD then which channel am I watching? The one that could be hidden or the SD which just happens to broadcast HD content?